Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, has emphasized that the high failure rate in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) serves as a strong indicator that the government’s efforts to curb exam malpractice are beginning to take effect, especially within the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
This statement comes in the wake of concerns following JAMB’s release of the results for the 2025 UTME, which revealed that out of 1,955,069 candidates, only approximately 420,000 achieved scores above 200—leaving over 78% of participants unable to meet the critical 200-point threshold.
Appearing on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Alausa explained that the drop in overall performance is directly tied to a significant reduction in examination malpractice, thanks to the enhanced security protocols JAMB has implemented.
“That’s a big concern, and it’s a reflection of exams being done the proper way,” the minister said. “JAMB conducts its exam using a computer-based testing system. They’ve implemented strong security measures, and as a result, fraud or cheating has been completely eliminated. Unfortunately, we cannot say the same for WAEC and NECO.”
Alausa disclosed that upon assumption of office, the education ministry conducted a full review of the country’s examination systems.
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As part of broader reforms, he announced that both the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council will begin transitioning to computer-based testing by November 2025, starting with objective papers.
The full CBT model — including essay sections — will be adopted by the May/June 2026 examination cycle.
“We have to use technology to fight this fraud,” Alausa said. “There are so many ‘miracle centres’, and that is simply unacceptable. People cheat during WAEC and NECO exams and then face JAMB, where cheating is nearly impossible. That’s the disparity we’re seeing now. It’s sad,” the minister said.
Dr. Alausa further cautioned that exam malpractice not only erodes the integrity of academic assessments but also discourages hardworking students.
He highlighted that the most detrimental impact of cheating was its ability to discourage students who were genuinely committed to their studies. Drawing from his own perspective, he explained that if he were preparing for WAEC or NECO and became aware that some classmates had already gained access to the exam questions, he would question the value of continuing to study hard.
The allure of taking shortcuts, he noted, would become overwhelming, leading even the most diligent students down a compromised path. Alausa stressed that this was exactly the type of behavior that needed to be eradicated.
Alausa reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology to ensure the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s examination and admissions systems are restored.